The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has commended the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, for what it described as a growing commitment to professional and human rights-compliant intelligence operations.
HURIWA said national security and human rights protection should complement rather than undermine each other in a constitutional democracy.
In a statement on Monday by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, the group welcomed the reported review of old DSS watchlists and restrictions, saying outdated intelligence records should not continue to unjustifiably limit citizens’ rights.
It cited the resolution of the longstanding watchlist issue involving International Press Centre Executive Director, Lanre Arogundade, as an example of why security classifications should be periodically reviewed.
The rights group also commended the reported compensation of persons affected by wrongful detention, mistaken identity and operational errors.
HURIWA urged the DSS to institutionalise the reforms through regular detention reviews, stronger complaint mechanisms, human rights impact assessments and transparent redress procedures.
It also called for continuous training of operatives on constitutional rights, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, Anti-Torture Act and international human rights standards.
The group further urged the DSS to deepen engagement with the National Human Rights Commission, lawyers, civil society organisations and professional bodies.
While acknowledging the DSS’s role in tackling terrorism, kidnapping, espionage and violent extremism, HURIWA said intelligence gathering must not become a substitute for due process.
It also called for an annual, appropriately redacted accountability report covering complaints, detention reviews, disciplinary actions, redress and human rights training.
HURIWA said secrecy required for intelligence operations should not be used as a shield against accountability.
The group urged Ajayi to make proportionality, due process, professional conduct and access to remedy permanent features of DSS operations.
“Nigeria needs a DSS that criminals fear, citizens trust and the Constitution can defend,” the statement said.